Title:
Latent tuberculosis infection screening in young asylum-seekers in the Netherlands - An analysis of facilitators and barriers to screening uptake
Authors:
Neut, Esther van der
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2024
PAGE:
x, 56
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
latent tuberculosis infection screening, barriers, migrants, asylum-seekers, the Netherlands
Abstract:
Introduction: In 2023, the Netherlands started screening newly-arriving asylum-seekers under twelve years of age for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Anecdotally, uptake has been low. This thesis is part of the screening’s evaluation by GGD GHOR Nederland (GGN). It gives recommendations on how to improve screening uptake based on analyses of barriers and facilitators to LTBI screening in the Netherlands and other low TB-incidence countries. Methodology: This multi-methods study was guided by Levesque’s framework of access to healthcare. A literature review was conducted to find demand-side barriers and facilitators to LTBI screening among migrants in low TB-incidence countries. Health care workers were interviewed to find supply-side barriers and facilitators to the Dutch programme. Findings: Many potential barriers and facilitators were found. Health literacy problems, including asylum-seekers’ supposed unawareness of the Dutch screening programme, were often mentioned. Screening locations, stigma, appointment mechanisms, types of tests used and collaboration between actors could also influence uptake. Discussion: Not all literature findings can directly be transferred to the Dutch setting, but some can guide much-needed further research, like quantitative research to objectify Dutch screening uptake(s) and find groups to focus on, followed by interviews with children’s parents. For now, recommendations to GGN include ideas for raising awareness of the screening, improving communication with asylum-seekers, optimising collaboration between actors and striving for better integrated and more client-centred care. Apart from optimising its uptake, ongoing monitoring and evaluation is needed to critically assess the programme’s impact on asylum-seekers’ and the public’s health.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Northwestern Europe
Training:
Master of Science in International Health (MIH)
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2024 Neut
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
tnAINkdEnn_20241105134750961.pdf